Shoelace fastener



-May 7, 1940,

c. J. RIO 2,199,758

SHOELACE FASTENER Filed July 27, 19:59

4 M '/:4 azarenaedj Eta Inventor Attorneys 7 parts in fastening position,

Patented May 7, 1940 PArEN snoELAoE FASTER-ER; 2

I. Clarence J. Rio,' Tyler, Pa- Application July 27,1939, Serial No. 286,913

- 2 Claims.

My invention relatesto shoelace-fasteners of the type featured in my U. S. Letters Patent, No. 2,164,123, dated June 27; 1939, over which the instant invention is designed as an'improvement.

The principal object in view is to provide a fastener of the wedging clamp type, such as is shown in said Letters Patent, adapted for quick and secure attachment to the tongue of a shoe without impairing the usefulness of the tongue or rendering it uncomfortable to the wearer of the shoe, and equipping the fastener f with means whereby it may be attached to the shoelaces wit greater ease andin' less time.

To the'accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects presently appearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention, and-one modification thereof, have been illustrated in the accompanying drawing, set forth in detail in the succeeding description,'and defined in theclaims appended hereto.

In said drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary view in front elevation-illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention applied to a shoe tongue and with the Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in front elevation-of the tongue and fastener with the parts shown in releasing position, i

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation with the tongue of the shoe shown in longitudinal section,

Figure 4 is a view in front elevation of the fastener detached with the parts shown in fastening position,

Figure 5 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the fastener detached,

Figure 6 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 and drawn to an enlarged scale, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of the modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, the

' fastener of the instant invention comprises as its basic elements, a pair of fixed and movable clamping members I, 2, respectively, of wedging type.

The fixed clamping member I has the form of an elongated plate 3 equipped with a pair of bendable end extensions 4, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, and by means of which it may be attached to the tongue 5 of a shoe 6 to extend lengthwise downwardly along the front of the tongue centrally of the same and from 'theupper'end thereof." Preferably one of the'extensions l is bent around the top edge-of said tongue 5 and under the same'to extend down along the back of the tongue. The other extension 4 is extended through "the tongue 5 and bent to extendupwardly along the back'thereof. As best'shown'in Figures 2 and 4 the side edges of theplatej, adjacent 'the lower end thereof, converge and said plate adjacent said end is provided with a pair of outstanding side edge flanges T-"Ofsub'St'antiaHy 'right -angled form incrosssection, respectively, and forming on the front ofthe plate 'a pair' of downwardlyconverging, laterally spacedc'lamping jaws open atthe upper and'low'er end's'thereof. The jaws terminate at their lower ends in a pairof laterally spaced ball members'8, respectively, disposed on top of the jaws in unobstructing relation to the lower ends thereof A longitudinally' efxtending slot 9 is'provided in said plate 2;said slot "extending from the tojpfedge of'the plate along the center thereof and of the top extension 4 and terminating'sh'ort of the lower end of the plate. The purpose of the ball members 8 and slot 9 will presently appear.

' The movable clamping member 2 has the form of a flatelongated wedge of substantially the s'ame'le'nfgth as thejaw-forming flanges 7 and provided with serrated side edges l'fl designed to fit between and within the flanges T to coact therewith in clamping; the shoelace 'I l between. said edges and flanges with 'a'wedging action. Movable clampingmember 2 is slidably mounted on said plate3 for endwise adjustment longitudinally thereon, small end lowermost, into and from such clamping relation to the flanges l. A stud l2 extending centrally through said member 2 and through the slot 9 of the plate 3 with a head l3 thereon in the rear of the plate 3 provides for mounting said member 2 on said plate. Preferably the stud II is provided with a square part l4 fitting into the slot 9 to prevent the member 2 from turning in the slot.

A bar I5 is pivotally mounted at one end, as at 16, on the front, or top, of the movable member 2 for swinging movement to dispose the same between the before-mentioned ball members 8 and provided at its other end with a ball member I! adapted in the clamping relation of the member 2 to be swung downwardly between said members 8 and to wipingly coact therewith to cam the member 2 downwardly in the flanges 1 and thereby effect a tight clamping of the and the bar member M and ball member I! form a camming clasp for retaining the movable member 2 in clamping relation to the flanges 1.

It is to be particularly noted that the member 2 is movable, or adjustable, out of clamping relation to the flanges 1 into a position completely clear of the latter. This feature is of particular advantage in that, in said relation of the member 2 and flanges I, the lace ll may be easily entered intothe flangesby way of the space between the same without this operation being in any way obstructed.

The modified form of the invention shown in- Figure '7 is the same as that described in the foregoing with the exception that the plate l8 of the fixed clamping member I9 is provided with a lower end extension 20, only, for securing the fastener to the tongue of; theshoe, the upper extension of the previously described form of the invention being eliminated.

The use'. and operationof the describedjinvention will.- be readily understood: With themovable clamping; member llv adjustedupwardlyfrom clamping relation andheld in suchrelation, the ends of the lace H.- are introduced into the flanges 8 in. themanner already made clear and held taut with one hand. The clamping. member 2 is; then. shovedv downwardly into the flanges 1 in which position. the side edges I0 thereof coact with said flanges to-grip, or clamp, the lace therebetween. The bar 15 is next swung down to-positiontheball member H between the ball members: 8 and thereby camthe member 2 into tight clamping. relation tozthe-flanges I. To release the lace l l,.it is; merely necessary toswingthe ball member: H upward from between the ball members 81 and pull the member 2 out of the flanges clear thereof, whereupon the lace H- may'bemanipulatedout of the flanges I if desired. Preferably the: head l3 of the stud l2 frictionallyengages. the back side ofthe plate 3. so that said member 2- is friotionally" held in upwardly adjusted position.

It will be understood that the. use. andoperation of the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 7 is the same as that described with reference to the preferred embodiment.

. The foregoing will, it is believed; suffice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestlythe invention as described, is susceptible of modification inother respects than as disclosed herein without departing from the inventive concept and. rightis herein reserved to such other modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a shoelace fastener, a plate-like member adapted to be attached to the tongue of the shoe to extend downwardly from the top edge of the tongue, said member having a bendable extension for clampingly engaging said tongue and a pair of laterally spaced flanges of angular form in .cross-section extending along opposite side edges'thereof, respectively, in downwardly convergent relation and providing opposed clamping jaws for receiving the ends of the shoelace therein,

a wedge-shaped clamping member slidably mounted on said plate for movement into and out of said flanges, respectively,

to clamp said ends against said flanges and release the same, said wedge-shaped member being movable from said flanges into a position clear of the same to facilitate locating the ends of the laces in said flanges, andclasp devices 0111 said fixed: and wedge-shaped members, respectively, coacting to camv said wedge-shaped memberinwardly of said. flanges andv to couple said members together.

2; Ina shoelace fastener, a plate-like member adapted-to be attachedto'the tongue of the shoe to extend downwardly from. the top edge of the tongue, said member having a bendable extension for clampingly engaging said tongue and a pair. of laterally spaced flanges of angular form in cross-section extending along opposite side edges thereof, respectively, in downwardly convergent relationv and providing opposed clamping jaws for receiving the ends of the shoelace therein, a Wedge-shapedclamping member slidably mounted on said. plate for movement into and out of said flanges, respectively, to clamp said ends against said flanges and release the same, said wedge-shaped member being movable from said flanges into a position clear of the same to facilitate locating the ends of the laces in saidflanges, and clasp devices onsaid fixed and wedge-shaped: members, respectively, coacting to cam said wedge-shaped. member inwardly of said flangesand to couplesaid members. together saiddevices comprising a pair of ball members fast onsaidflanges, respectively, and a ball member pivotally mounted on said wedge-shaped. member for swinging movement into engagement with the ball members of said pair.

CLARENCE J. RIO. 

